David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others
WOW Hundreds more comments just went "POOF"??? Methinks CBC and Higgy et obviously expect a wicked lawsuit will be filed against them by Dr. Jean-Robert Ngola N'esy Pas?
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/06/doctor-linked-to-campbellton-covid-19.html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/campbellton-doctor-covid-19-1.5594667
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/covid-19-long-term-care-facility-campbellton-1.5596674
2 new cases of COVID-19, bringing total long-term care residents infected to 5
5 people admitted to hospital, 1 remains in intensive care unit
· CBC News · Posted: Jun 03, 2020 2:49 PM AT
One of the latest cases is linked to the Manoir de la Vallée care-home in Atholville. (Serge Bouchard/Radio-Canada)
There are two new cases of COVID-19 in the province, both related to a recent outbreak in the Campbellton region.
There are now 15 active cases of COVID-19, all in Zone 5, which has been returned to the orange phase of recovery while restrictions remain eased in the rest of the province.
The new cases are an individual between 40 and 49 years of age, and an individual between 60 and 69 years of age.
The province said one of the two new cases is linked to a close contact of a previously identified case, and the other one is linked to Manoir de la Vallée, a long-term care facility in Atholville.
The release said a Quebec resident has also tested positive, and is also linked to the facility, but the case will be counted as part of Quebec's statistics. Provincial spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane confirmed the case is an employee at the facility.
There are five people in hospital and one in the intensive care unit, the release said.
Shephard said three of the hospitalized people are residents of the long-term care home, including the ICU patient.
"To the best of my knowledge I can tell you that [their condition] is stable," Shephard said.
Fallout of care-home outbreak
All of the cases are isolated in the memory care wing of the facility, Shephard said."This memory care wing would have doors, like locked doors," she said. "We can't say 100 per cent that a patient doesn't wander in some fashion but it's very much minimized."
She said all the rooms are private, but residents do share a bathroom.
"A cleaning crew has been brought on to support staff in washing down washrooms three times a day at a minimum," she said.
Two of the positive residents are still in the wing in Atholville, she said, and the staff members are isolating in their homes.
She said administrators are in contact with family members on a daily basis, and she's sure residents and families are worried.
"But I'm sure that staff is doing everything they can to give them assurances that every precaution is being taken to protect them."
On Sunday, Premier Blaine Higgs said 10 of the 29 staff members at the special care home left their jobs because of the outbreak. On Wednesday, Shephard said she understands why.
"I do not judge that harshly," she said. "This is a highly female dominated sector - many of which are single parents."
She said extramural nurses have been brought in to replace the 10 workers who resigned.
"We are staffed appropriately right now."
Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard says three of the six people in hospital are residents in a long-term care home. One is in ICU and in 'stable' condition. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
The affected residents of Manoir de la Vallée include four people in their 80s and one in their 70s from the 18-bed Alzheimer's unit.
Public Health has previously linked the outbreak to a doctor who travelled to Quebec and didn't self-isolate for the mandatory 14 days when he returned.
The province has conducted 31,791 tests in total, including 1,125 in the last 24 hours.
Staff movement policy criticized
The advocacy group Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents' Rights is criticizing the province for not prohibiting workers from moving between facilities.Cecile Cassista, executive director of the group, said she wants to know why New Brunswick "never bothered to make it mandatory that no workers be allowed to work in multiple care facilities," especially considering the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Shephard said nursing homes did have a protocol of asking their employees to choose one place to work. She said she does not know for sure if that's mandatory.
She said special care homes did not receive that directive.
"The fact is this is a profession that has a challenge with fulfilling their rosters of caregivers" she said, "Understanding that some caregivers will need to work on more than one sector to attain the employment opportunities they need to serve themselves, but they're following very strict protocols."
What to do if you have symptoms?
The province says if you or a member of your family are showing two of the following symptoms, contact Tele-Care 811 or your primary health-care provider:- Fever above 38°C or signs of fever (such as chills).
- A new cough or worsening chronic cough.
- Sore throat.
- Runny nose.
- Headache.
- A new onset of fatigue.
- A new onset of muscle pain.
- Diarrhea.
- Loss of sense of taste or loss of sense of smell.
- In children, purple markings on the fingers or toes. In this instance, testing will be done even if none of the other symptoms are present.
66 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos
Welcome back to the circus
Emery Hyslop-Margison
It’s important to note that most viruses tend to mutate toward attenuation. That is, the longer they are in circulation the weaker the viruses become. It’s not true in all cases but let’s hope Covid 19 fits into that category. I’m also hearing a Vaccine from Moderna may be ready as early as September with phase three trials beginning in July.
Bruce Sanders
Reply to @Emery Hyslop-Margison: In Italy, that is the view:
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/02/claim-coronavirus-no-longer-exists-provokes-controversy.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/02/claim-coronavirus-no-longer-exists-provokes-controversy.html
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Emery Hyslop-Margison: A lot of the population will refuse vaccination, me included
Emery Hyslop-Margison
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: That’s your right. Personally, I’ll be at the front of the line.
Bob Smith
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Another declaration based on zero facts.
Emery Hyslop-Margison
Reply to @Bruce Sanders: thanks for this Bruce!
David Amos
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Me Too
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Bob Smith: Methinks this is a fact and you posted some nasty things about this dude N'esy Pas? "Ngola did not say during the morning interview what he told officials at the New Brunswick border about his reason for travel, or what they told him about requirements to self-isolate upon entering the province.
Nor did he indicate what, if any, followup he had from border officials.
When reached by phone later to clarify, Ngola said he was on the other line with his lawyer and hung up. Repeated subsequent calls went straight to voicemail, which was full before the end of the day.
The Department of Health declined to respond to Ngola's comments or offer any additional information, citing privacy and the ongoing investigation.'
Sarah Brown
Reply to @Emery Hyslop-Margison: As will I!
David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: BINGO
Donald Gallant
The annual incomes of NB Physicians are public.
Ngola is listed as earning $400,000 to $449,000.
Perhaps more than enough to be able to afford a taxi or a limo to pick up the daughter.
And today news comes out the good Dr. was leaving NB prior to the suspension.
Timothy Kelley
Reply to @Donald
Gallant: More practical, get someone to accompany the minor on a flight
to F’ton and that person returns home on same flight. I think people
could forgive if that had been the case.
Lou Bell
Reply to @Donald
Gallant: We keep getting more news about the nefarious happenings of
this guy daily ! I doubt we'll ever get the truth outta this guy !
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks he is feeling very offended and he can obviously afford a lawyer N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: Hopefully a plane ticket soon enough too good riddance
Bob Smith
15 now...and the doctor will leave the area, the board prob won't do a thing and the police will ultimately determine not enough for charges from "maybe an error in judgement". Yeahhh..
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Bob Smith:
At least we now know that the doctor was planning to leave anyway. I've
heard people say that Campbellton's going to lose a doctor as a result
of this incident, but that's not the case. It's more like he caused the
incident on his way out.
Lou Bell
Reply to @Bob Smith: We need to lock the door on this guy on his way out ! And pity whoever's getting him !
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Oh My My
David Amos
Reply to @Bob Smith: "When reached by phone later to clarify, Ngola said he was on the other line with his lawyer and hung up."
Hmmm
David Amos
Reply to @Bob Smith: "When reached by phone later to clarify, Ngola said he was on the other line with his lawyer and hung up."
Hmmm
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/campbellton-doctor-covid-19-1.5594667
Doctor linked to Campbellton COVID-19 cluster says he made 'an error in judgment'
Dr. Jean-Robert Ngola says he's now the target of racist harassment
CBC News · Posted: Jun 02, 2020 11:42 AM AT
Campbellton doctor says he isn't sure how he got the coronavirus and has never shown symptoms. (Guy LeBlanc/Radio-Canada)
The doctor at the centre of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Campbellton area says he's not sure whether he picked up the coronavirus during a trip to Quebec or from a patient in his office.
Dr. Jean Robert Ngola made the comments to Radio-Canada's program La Matinale on Tuesday morning — his first media interview since the emergence of 12 new cases in the northern New Brunswick health region starting May 21. Before then, it had been two weeks since the province had an active case.
Ngola, who has been suspended, said he decided to speak out because he's become the target of daily racist verbal attacks and false reports to police and feels abandoned by Public Health officials.
He has been working as a doctor in Campbellton since 2013. He previously practised in Europe and in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dr. Jean-Robert Ngola practises at the Campbellton Regional Hospital in northern New Brunswick. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
Ngola said he did not self-isolate after returning from an overnight return trip to Quebec to pick up his four-year-old daughter. Her mother had to travel to Africa for her father's funeral.
"What was I supposed to do," he said in French. "Leave her there alone?"
Ngola said he drove straight there and back with no stops and had no contact with anyone. He said none of his family members had any COVID-19 symptoms at the time.
He returned to work at the Campbellton Regional Hospital the next day.
"Maybe it was an error in judgment," said Ngola, pointing out that workers, including nurses who live in Quebec, cross the border each day with no 14-day isolation period required.
"Who hasn't made an error in judgment?" he said. "That's why I have compassion towards everyone."
'How many people are unwitting carriers?'
Ngola said he received a call from a Public Health official on May 25 informing him one of his patients had tested positive.He has about 2,000 patients at his clinic, about 1,500 of them active.
Ngola had seen the man May 19 for a prescription renewal or something that did not require any touching or a physical exam. He said the man had no COVID-19 symptoms and was wearing a mask.
Ngola said he immediately called the patient, who had cold-like symptoms and was doing OK.
He said he cancelled his shift that night at the hospital and got a test for himself and his daughter. Neither of them were showing symptoms. But they both tested positive.
Ngola said he still doesn't know how they were infected.
"Who can say? ... The virus is circulating everywhere. … How many people are unwitting carriers?"
Hate messages pour in, doctor says
He said one hour after he spoke with hospital and Public Health officials about his contacts to facilitate the investigation and protect the public, his name, face and address were being advertised all over the internet as "the bad doctor who brought the virus to kill people."Ngola said that's not who he is.
"I only have compassion towards sick patients...the role of doctors is to care, to heal, to help ... not to spread viruses."
Premier Blaine Higgs labelled the doctor's actions as "irresponsible" in a May 27 press conference.
"If you ignore the rules, you put your family, your friends and your fellow New Brunswickers at risk," Higgs said at the time.
Ngola said he's been looking into the people making hateful posts and the vast majority are from outside the region. He said he feels they are trying to incite violence against him because he is black.
He said he's been getting accusatory calls from people in the United States, Africa and Europe, and people are also making false reports about him to local police.
Ngola said he is not pleased with the way he's being treated by public officials.
"I'm a patient. I have a right to confidentiality, to protection from the system."
He said he remains devoted to serving the community.
"I have a family. I have a right to live. Please, I'm not a criminal."
with files from Radio-Canada, La Matinale
369 Comments
WOW Hundreds more comments just went "POOF"
David Amos
Welcome back to the circus
David Amos
Content disabled
Methinks some folks must recall that long before I knew his name I stated that I would like to to Dr. Jean-Robert Ngola N'esy Pas?
SarahRose Werner
"'What was I supposed to do,' he said in French. 'Leave her there alone?'" - No, you were supposed to bring her back and then self-isolate for 14 days.
Lieschen Mueller
Reply to @SarahRose
Werner: If Mr. Ngola is so unable to understand why he should not have
isolated himself for two weeks after returning from Quebec, he has no
business being a physician. Simple as that ...
lorraine karuse
Reply to @SarahRose
Werner: He made a HUGE error in Judgement - a doctor visiting Corona Hot
Spot, then didn't follow the guidelines to self isolate, put many of
his patients lives at risk. Now he's using a race card - If he wasn't
targeted before why would anyone target him now? It's not the color -
it's their anger at your lack of judgement
Koffi Babone
Reply to @SarahRose Werner:
From the NB Government website:
"People not required to self-isolate
2) Workers who are healthy and:
a) provide or support things essential to the health, safety, security or economic well-being of New Brunswickers, including;...."
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/covid-19/travel.html
_____________
If an ER doctor does not provide things essential to the Health of New Brunswickers or if there are exceptions to the above, then it is not stated clearly.
Below is the Mandatory order that was revised on 2020-05-29:
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Corporate/pdf/EmergencyUrgence19.pdf
Article 6 states everyone must self isolate except those designated by the Chief Medical Officer, but this is not defined.
Again there is a grey zone. When the order 1st came out, I along with several other people understood that Healthcare workers were exempt from the 14 day isolation. If that is not case, it must be clearly stated and it is not.
From the NB Government website:
"People not required to self-isolate
2) Workers who are healthy and:
a) provide or support things essential to the health, safety, security or economic well-being of New Brunswickers, including;...."
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/covid-19/travel.html
_____________
If an ER doctor does not provide things essential to the Health of New Brunswickers or if there are exceptions to the above, then it is not stated clearly.
Below is the Mandatory order that was revised on 2020-05-29:
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Corporate/pdf/EmergencyUrgence19.pdf
Article 6 states everyone must self isolate except those designated by the Chief Medical Officer, but this is not defined.
Again there is a grey zone. When the order 1st came out, I along with several other people understood that Healthcare workers were exempt from the 14 day isolation. If that is not case, it must be clearly stated and it is not.
Tommy de James
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Is he a Canadian citizen?
Art Rowe
Reply to @SarahRose Werner:
MAYBE an error in judgement, MAYBE? Seriously? You who are supposedly a doctor helping to administer our response during this miserable pandemic and YOU think it's OK for you to not adhere to the rules?
With an attitude like that, possibly you should seek work elsewhere.
MAYBE an error in judgement, MAYBE? Seriously? You who are supposedly a doctor helping to administer our response during this miserable pandemic and YOU think it's OK for you to not adhere to the rules?
With an attitude like that, possibly you should seek work elsewhere.
Lieschen Mueller
Reply to @Tommy de James: Just because Mr. Ngola originally came from Africa, does not mean he is not a Canadian citizen.
David Amos
Reply to @Koffi Babone: Well Done
John Pokiok
Sure blame it on racism you did stupid act sir and should pay for it with jail time.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @John
Pokiok: I agree with you that the doctor acted in a "stupid" way. As to
jail time, it's for the RCMP to decide whether or not charges should be
brought. But I've also seen comments that are racist in nature, and I
strongly disagree with those.
Jeff LeBlanc
Reply to @John
Pokiok: doesn't excuse the racism. A lot of NBers have it simmering and
instances like this you see it boil over. Sad but it's always been
there.
David Amos
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: I concur
SarahRose Werner
"I'm a patient. I have a right to confidentiality, to protection from the system." - And in fact the system has protected that confidentiality by not, until now, releasing his name. Unfortunately for him, Campbellton is a small place, people compared notes and released the results on social media.
David Amos
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Yea Right
Murray Brown
I feel for the guy... By the sounds of it he may have contracted it from the patient. Unfortunately we live in the age of 'social media' and that media is responsible for the ruination of many lives whether deserved or not. Given the circumstances, moving to a new location will likely be his only choice. Too bad for Campbellton because Doctor's are in short supply around these parts.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Murray
Brown: "Given the circumstances, moving to a new location will likely be
his only choice." - Agreed. Campbellton is too small a place to pull a
stunt like this and not catch flak from the rest of the community.
David Amos
Reply to @Murray Brown: YUP
Shawn Hickey
We all made/ make errors in judgement. He is human after all. Best case is nobody does from his actions.
Jezebel DeWitt Bukater
Reply to @Shawn
Hickey: He doesn't sound very sorry. He sounds like he is angry at
Campbellton and has convinced himself that he is the victim. He's lost
any understanding or compassion from me with this interview.
Donald
Smith
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater:
And of course the if one is charged with DUI let’s just put it down to an error in judgement.
Now the explanations just make it worse and have no credibility.
The province of NB is under. state of emergency .
There are exceptions and exemptions for essentials.
And of course the if one is charged with DUI let’s just put it down to an error in judgement.
Now the explanations just make it worse and have no credibility.
The province of NB is under. state of emergency .
There are exceptions and exemptions for essentials.
Nicolas Krinis
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: Well you are free to choose another family doctor.
David Amos
Reply to @Nicolas Krinis: Methinks some people will never know when its high time to clam up N'esy Pas?
Donald
Smith
because he is black.:
I don't think so, color has nothing to do with this, A DOCTOR is
supposed to know better, any health care worker, and those of us who are
not: I once served with and fought with native Canadians, native
American's, this religion that religion and we were are are Brothers to
each other those of us who still left living.
Nicolas
Krinis
Reply to @Donald
Smith: Have you read some of the hateful, racist comments on social
media? And yes, unfortunately, many are racists among us. Have you been
following the events in the US?
Donald Smith
Reply to @Nicolas
Krinis: Its not the fault of New Brunswick residents as a whole as to
what people post on social media. Yes I've following what's happing
stateside, I was watching it on Tv back in the 60s as well. It just
gores to show History sadly doesn't learn from its past mistakes.
David Amos
Reply to @Nicolas
Krinis: Methinks you are flogging a dead horse if you think you can
change some people's minds on certain topics but I and many others
should commend your attempts to do so N'esy Pas?
Michael MacDonald
it is to bad we see all the bad in every situation before the facts are known, maybe we should show some compassion and not judge first as someday we will be in a simular situation. He practiced in Campbelton for almost 8 years helping may NB's in their time of need now we turn on him like this with out the full facts. maybe some of you should look in the mirror before you judge others. This includes the media jumping to conclusions before thefacts as well!!
Johnny Almar
Reply to @Michael MacDonald: Wow. You are defending him for his decision to not follow NB laws put in place to protect us. I hope they make an example of him.
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Michael
MacDonald: I Wholeheartedly Agree Sir Furthermore who is Higgy or the
RCMP to say for sure where the doctor picked up the virus in the first
place?
Christopher Harborne
Reply to @Johnny
Almar: I'm not defending what he did, but given all the hatred, good
luck recruiting in that health region. That's going to be the fall out
from this in the longer term, which will be really bad for the area.
Samual Johnston
think people might be less angry at this situation if they knew just how many people cross the borders everyday without having to self isolate at all. I think the numbers would shock and surprise. Sure hope that figure is coming up in one of the future updates.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Samual
Johnston: There's an article that just appeared on the CBC NB news page
about people crossing at Tide Head-Matapedia, both crossing illegally
and crossing legally but then not following the laws once allowed in.
If there's one good thing that comes out of this mess, I think it might
be more attention being paid to this situation.
Antonia Patrick
Reply to @Samual Johnston: At our hospital, every worker is asked every day about travel. Temperature is taken. Many hospital workers are forgoing seeing family and going out, even when restrictions are lifted. Most of us want to protect our patients. This guy's actions show he did NOT place his patients' health above his own personal desires.
David Amos
Reply to @Samual Johnston: I agree
Samual Johnston
Reply to @Antonia Patrick: tis good but do they self isolate and given symptoms can take 14 days to show up if at all is that really very effective?
Nicolas Krinis
Has any member of the armchair judiciary ever stopped to think that he might have caught it in NB and because he is a front-line professional, spread it unknowingly to many people? There is a principal in Law that goes something like this; it's far better to let a thousand criminals go free than to condemn an innocent man.
Andie Em
Reply to @Nicolas Krinis: except that there were zero cases of Covid in the province at that time
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Nicolas Krinis: Methinks Higgy et al have known for days that I Wholeheartedly Agree With Your Opinion N'esy Pas?
Amory Maynard
Reply to @Nicolas
Krinis: I agree. Unprofessional conduct, of course, they should look
into suspending his licence for sure. Criminal....you need to prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that he caught it in Quebec. An inconvenient
truth, 80% (not a typo) get this and don't even know they have it.
Asymptomatics abound. He could have caught it off an asymptomatic
carrier in town. Another thing to consider, he'll need to be replaced
and with doctor shortage everywhere, I doubt there are new MD grads
banging on the door to move to Northern NB.
Allie Bell
Reply to @Andie Em:
But we don’t know for sure if there were zero cases. Asymptomatic people
could be anywhere and would not know to get tested. It says right in
the article nurses travel back and forth every day...
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/covid19-update-new-brunswick-campbellton-may31-1.5592248
5 cases of COVID-19 connected to long-term care facility near Campbellton
N.B. has 12 active cases; all are linked to doctor returning from Quebec
· CBC News · Posted: May 31, 2020 12:07 PM AT
Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, delivers a COVID-19 update on Sunday, May 31. (Submitted by Tyler Campbell/Government of New Brunswick)
Four residents and a staff member at a long-term care facility are among some of the most recent cases of COVID-19 in northern New Brunswick linked to a family doctor who contracted the virus outside the province and didn't self-isolate.
New Brunswick Public Health announced three new COVID-19 cases the Campbellton region, also known as Zone 5, at a news conference Sunday. All of the new cases are individuals in their 80s.
That brings the total cluster of cases in the Campbellton region to 12, the chief medical officer of health said.
The new cases include three individuals at a long-term care facility near the northern community.
Another case, an individual in their 70s, who's also a resident at the care facility, tested positive for the virus Saturday.
Five cases total have developed at the health-care facility. Three of the five cases from the facility are in hospital, including one person in intensive care.
An employee at The Manoir de la Vallée in the neighbouring community of Atholville, N.B., tested positive for the virus earlier this week as well.
WATCH | New COVID-19 cases detected in northern New Brunswick:
Four residents and a staff member at a long-term care facility in Campbellton have tested positive for COVID-19. 1:26
About 100 people, including 57 residents could have been exposed to the worker, who was contagious during three shifts at the facility.
The facility includes independent living apartments as well as a special care home.
All staff and residents at the facility have been tested, Dr. Russell said.
All of the province's active cases are in the Campbellton region, also know as Zone 5.
"There is a possibility the virus could spread beyond that region because the virus has an incubation period of 14 days," said Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health.
All 12 cases are linked to a family doctor who contracted the virus in Quebec and didn't self-isolate upon his return to New Brunswick. The doctor, who has had contact with about 150 people since returning, has been suspended.
The government is urging people in the Campbellton area and those who travelled there in the last couple weeks to get tested.
"We have a two-week period ahead of us where we're going to be watching very very carefully what is happening in that region and also around the province because we know that people have left that region since the time that there have been transmission of COVID-19," Dr. Russell said.
"Every corner of the province needs to be vigilant."
Facility loses a third of staff
Ten of the 28 staff at the The Manoir de la Vallée long-term care facility left their job because of the COVID-19 outbreak."They felt it necessary to leave the facility, which is concerning because at a time like this, it's important we have everyone there to do what we can," said Premier Blaine Higgs.
Premier Blaine Higgs said The Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville, N.B., has enough staff and resources to respond to the outbreak of COVID-19 at the facility. (Submitted by Tyler Campbell/Government of New Brunswick)
Despite the staff leaving, Higgs said he is not concerned about under staffing "at all."
Ambulance New Brunswick and the province's home health-care program, Extra-Mural, are on site at the facility providing additional help caring for the residents.
Province to cut down on testing
Testing sites are set up at the Memorial Civic Centre in Campbellton and the Dalhousie Inch Arran Ice Palace.Sunday is the last day of mass testing. As of tomorrow, the province will only be testing people who have two symptoms. Those who wish to get tested will have to call Tele-Care at 811.
Those who get a negative test result should monitor for symptoms for the next 14 days. It takes up to 48 hours for test results to come back.
To date, 26,172 tests have been conducted. Of the 132 confirmed cases in New Brunswick, 120 have recovered from the virus.
More than 1,300 test were processed Saturday, which is the highest single-day amount since the pandemic began.
Until last week, New Brunswick had no active cases of the respiratory disease.
294 Comments
WOW ALL THE COMMENTS JUST WENT POOF
David Amos
Methinks many would agree that the most telling thing about the news these days is what our Police State does not permit to be said N'esy Pas?
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @David Amos: or do N’esy Pas?
abcr xo (Chris Richard)
Randy McNally
Reply to @David Amos: Yes. Although it is complicated for for some , there is indeed a world beyond the web spun by certain media groups
Cade Hern
How difficult could it be to seal off Campbellton temporarily to non essential travel? 7,000 people. Only 2 roads heading south to the rest of the province. Should be able to test everyone for the virus in one day.
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Cade Hern: seal off everyone in their homes province wide would be best idea.
abcr xo (Chris Richard)
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: here comes personality number 2
David Amos
Content disabled
Methinks Higgy et al know why the dude up north whom the RCMP are investigating should talk to me ASAP N'esy Pas?
Steve Brockhouse
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: What's with this ongoing use of "N'esy Pas" phrase. The French is "N'est pas".
Larry Larson
Content disabled
Reply to @Steve Brockhouse: Chiac say otherwise!
Chris Richard
Content disabled
Reply to @Steve Brockhouse: he has multi personality disorder
Chris Richard
Content disabled
Reply to @Chris Richard: not to judge a book by its cover, but you look like such a smart persin LOL
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Larry Larson: BINGO
Carlson MacKenzie
Content disabled
Reply to @Steve Brockhouse: He's a norom.
Chris Richard
Content disabled
Reply to @Carlson MacKenzie: to say the least
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Carlson MacKenzie: Methinks you resemble your remark N'esy Pas?
abcr xo (Chris Richard)
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: you bum
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Chris Richard: My My Aren't you witty since you changed your alphabet ID?
abcr xo (Chris Richard)
Reply to @David Amos: get a haircut. Barbers are open again
Ray Oliver
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: You're building a fan club! Cuuute
abcr xo (Chris Richard)
Content disabled
Reply to @Ray Oliver: I dont think his own family would accept him. Poor thing
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Ray Oliver: Methinks your RCMP buddies and Higgy et al are very well aware that my latest blogs are about you and your cohorts N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Content disabled
Methinks it pleasant to see that Higgy is getting along so well with his fellow Maritime Conservative Premier N'esy Pas?
Tony
Mcalbey
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: Methinks Higgy flip flops next week n'esy pas?
Johnny Almar
Content disabled
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: now you’re talking to yourself. Lol. Seek help please. I’m worried about you.
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Tony
Mcalbey: Methinks Higgy's minions made huge faux pas last week
threatening to arrest a dude and his dog Hence he and his PEI pal have
no choice but to reverse that nonsense ASAP N'esy Pas?
abcr xo (Chris Richard)
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: you have a lot of time on your hands you split personality weirdo
abcr xo (Chris Richard)
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos:
do you ever get tired of no one caring about anything you have to say ?
You would think when everyone is against you you would realise your
wrong. Guess not
Dan Stewart
Content disabled
Reply to @Chris
Richard: If in fact he has as many alter egos as it seems then I
suppose they at least care.... well maybe a few of them at least...
Errol Willis
Back to red we go...
Johnny Almar
Reply to @Errol Willis: we need to be sent back to red so we wake up.
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Johnny Almar: 99.99999999% of nbers have not contracted covid19.
Back to red for what reason?
Back to red for what reason?
Johnny Almar
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: As a lesson.
James Smith
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Because Johnny is absolutely TERRIFIED.
Johnny Almar
Reply to @James Smith: hardly. I’m immune.
Johnny Almar
Reply to @James Smith: tough guy at the keyboard lol.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Errol
Willis: For Zone 5, possibly. The mayor of Campbellton has already
requested it. For other zones? Depends on whether or not we start to
see new cases there.
abcr xo (Chris Richard)
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: tony if you need help , reach out to me I have connections for you
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Errol
Willis: But not today. The GNB site's updated its case figures for
today, but their map is still showing Zone 5 as orange and the other
zones as yellow.
Donald Gallant
Reply to @James Smith:
And James would be ?
And James would be ?
James Smith
Reply to @Donald Gallant: calm, cool, collected.
Sarah Brown
Reply to @Johnny
Almar: Are you suggesting that all of us be sent back to red to teach us
all a lesson due to the reprehensible actions of one man? I think not.
David Amos
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Need I explain the term "Poof" to you?
Johnny Almar
I wonder if it has to do with the mother and daughter from Campbellton that came to the Regent Mall on Friday to shop? Le Chateau forced to close. Staff had to self-isolate lending test results. A nurse who rents to a staff member there told the Campbellton Facebook group about it and now she’s self isolated pending test results.
Or is it about the Optometrist in Grand Falls who had to close his practice after being in direct contact with a health care worker from Campbellton who was in direct contact with the doctor who had been infected.
Johnny Almar
Reply to @Johnny Almar: pending test results.
I see that the nurse in Fredericton that spilled the beans on Campbellton Facebook group took it down. I wonder why?
I see that the nurse in Fredericton that spilled the beans on Campbellton Facebook group took it down. I wonder why?
Tony
Mcalbey
Reply to @Johnny Almar: over reaction. Life goes on. Virus is here and not going anywhere.
Johnny Almar
Content disabled before I could save it (accusing me of being Tony
Mcalbey again)
Reply to @Tony
Mcalbey:
David Amos
Content disabled
Mike
Hamilton
Reply to @Johnny Almar: David and his alter ego have both earned a mute from me just for spouting nonsense.
abcr xo (Chris Richard)
Reply to @David Amos: if the rcmp knew about you you would be in cambpelton sphych unit. Where you should be
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @: So says some wacko without the sand to have a real name. Methinks everybody knows exactly who I am particularly the RCMP N'esy Pas Higgy?
JoeBrown
Reply to @Mike
Hamilton: I ran out of mutes soon after this new system came out. CBC
told me they were working on increasing the limits almost a year ago.
Ray Oliver
Reply to @Chris Richard: Me thinks that is about perfect! Rubber room for "Just Dave"
David Amos
YO wannabe constable Ray Oliver or should I say Mr Jones aka "Borden Manitoba" methinks your buddy "abcr xo" aka Chris Richard can trust in the fact that the RCMP and legions of lawyers and bureaucrats etc. have had many copies of portions of my old "Just Dave" blog since 2005 N'esy Pas?
abcr xo (Chris Richard)
Reply to @David Amos: you make absolutely.0 sence you know that right ? You make yourself look ridiculous
abcr xo (Chris Richard)
Reply to @Chris
Richard: trust me the rcmp and lawyers have no interest in you, they
would see your stuff and think your a joke. Quit thinking your
interesting
David Amos
Reply to @Chris Richard: Methinks if that were remotely true then you strange dudes with questionable IDS would see no need to harass me every chance you get. However if they wish anyone can surf the internet and figure out things for themselves without any further input from anyone. After all the Crown cannot deny the fact that I did sue more Yankee lawyers than anyone else in history long before I came home to run for a seat in the 38th Parliament N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: LOL. And that means what? Did any ever see a court room? Methinks not
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: Maybe you should go back to the States. Sue some more. Show them the wiretap tapes!!!
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/campbellton-doctor-covid-19-1.5594667
Doctor linked to Campbellton COVID-19 cluster says he made 'an error in judgment'
Dr. Jean-Robert Ngola says he's now the target of racist harassment
· CBC News · Posted: Jun 02, 2020 11:42 AM AT
Campbellton doctor says he isn't sure how he got the coronavirus and has never shown symptoms. (Guy LeBlanc/Radio-Canada)
The doctor at the centre of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Campbellton, N.B., area says he's not sure whether he picked up the coronavirus during a trip to Quebec or from a patient in his office.
Dr. Jean Robert Ngola made the comments to Radio-Canada's program La Matinale on Tuesday morning — his first media interview since the emergence of 13 new cases in the northern New Brunswick health region starting May 21. Before then, it had been two weeks since the province had an active case.
Ngola has been suspended by the Vitalité Health Network, one of the province's two regional health authorities, and the province has asked the RCMP to investigate to determine whether charges are warranted.
He said he decided to speak out because he's become the target of racist verbal attacks daily and false reports to police, and he feels abandoned by public health officials.
Ngola, who is also known as Dr. Ngola Monzinga, has been working as a doctor in Campbellton since 2013. He previously practised in Europe and in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dr. Jean-Robert Ngola practises at the Campbellton Regional Hospital in northern New Brunswick. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
He said he did not self-isolate after returning from an overnight return trip to Quebec to pick up his four-year-old daughter. Her mother had to travel to Africa for her father's funeral.
"What was I supposed to do?" he said in French. "Leave her there alone?"
Ngola said he drove straight there and back with no stops and had no contact with anyone. He said none of his family members had any COVID-19 symptoms at the time.
He returned to work at the Campbellton Regional Hospital the next day.
"Maybe it was an error in judgment," said Ngola, pointing out that workers, including nurses who live in Quebec, cross the border each day with no 14-day isolation period required.
"Who hasn't made an error in judgment?" he said. "That's why I have compassion towards everyone."
What he told border officials unclear
On May 27, Premier Blaine Higgs announced a COVID-positive "medical professional" in their 50s had travelled to Quebec for personal reasons, was "not forthcoming" about the reasons for their trip upon returning to New Brunswick and "did not self-isolate as a result."The medical professional then returned to work at the Campbellton Regional Hospital for two weeks, Higgs had told reporters, describing it as "irresponsible."
"If you ignore the rules, you put your family, your friends and your fellow New Brunswickers at risk," Higgs said at the time.
Twelve of the province's 13 cases have been linked to the travel-related case to date, according to Public Health officials.
The policy for any health-care workers who travel outside the province for any reason is to self-isolate for 14 days, New Brunswick's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell has said.
"It is mandatory."
Compliance officers stop and question anyone entering New Brunswick as part of the effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)
Ngola did not say during the morning interview what he told officials at the New Brunswick border about his reason for travel, or what they told him about requirements to self-isolate upon entering the province.
Nor did he indicate what, if any, followup he had from border officials.
When reached by phone later to clarify, Ngola said he was on the other line with his lawyer and hung up. Repeated subsequent calls went straight to voicemail, which was full before the end of the day.
The Department of Health declined to respond to Ngola's comments or offer any additional information, citing privacy and the ongoing investigation.
'How many people are unwitting carriers?'
Ngola said he received a call from a public health official on May 25 informing him one of his patients had tested positive for the coronavirus that causes the respiratory disease COVID-19.He has about 2,000 patients at his clinic, about 1,500 of them active.
Ngola had seen the man May 19 for a prescription renewal or something that did not require any touching or a physical exam. He said the man had no COVID-19 symptoms and was wearing a mask.
Dr. Jean-Robert Ngola says he isn't sure how he got the coronavirus and has never shown symptoms. 1:22
Ngola said he immediately called the patient, who had cold-like symptoms and was doing OK.
He said he cancelled his shift that night at the hospital and got a test for himself and his daughter.
Neither of them were showing symptoms, but they both tested positive.
Ngola said he still doesn't know how they were infected.
"Who can say? … The virus is circulating everywhere. … How many people are unwitting carriers?"
Hate messages pour in, doctor says
He said one hour after he spoke with hospital and public health officials about his contacts to facilitate the investigation and protect the public, his name, face and address were being advertised all over the internet as "the bad doctor who brought the virus to kill people."Ngola said that's not who he is.
"I only have compassion towards sick patients … the role of doctors is to care, to heal, to help … not to spread viruses."
There are 13 active in cases in the province — all in the Campbellton health region, known as Zone 5, including a new confirmed case announced on Tuesday.
The infected Alzheimer unit at the Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville has its own entrance and there is no contact between it and the attached independent living apartments, the facility's owner has said. (Serge Bouchard/Radio-Canada)
The person in their 80s is a resident at the Manoir de la Vallée, the long-term care facility in Atholville where four other residents in the Alzheimer's unit and a staff member have also tested positive.
The staff member, a female personal attendant, had social contact with Ngola on May 20, according to the facility's owner, Dr. Guy Tremblay.
Five people are now in hospital, one of whom is in intensive care.
Public Health officials have said more cases are expected to emerge in the coming days. The incubation period for the coronavirus is roughly up to 14 days.
About 300 people identified as close contacts are self-isolating and monitoring for symptoms.
Accusatory calls from U.S., Africa, Europe
Ngola said he's been looking into the people making hateful posts, and most are from outside the region. He said he feels they are trying to incite violence against him because he is black.He said he's been getting accusatory calls from people in the United States, Africa and Europe, and people are also making false reports about him to local police.
Ngola said he is not pleased with the way he's being treated by public officials.
"I'm a patient. I have a right to confidentiality, to protection from the system."
Health authority CEO appeals for calm
Gilles Lanteigne, the chief executive officer of the Vitalité Health Network, said he was aware of Ngola's public statements, but could not comment on human resources matters, citing privacy."We understand that the situation is difficult for all parties involved and we sympathize with the people who are affected by this affair, either directly or indirectly," he said in an emailed statement.
"I would like to appeal to everyone to remain calm in these difficult times. It is more important than ever to show respect, tolerance and compassion for one another. This is how we will get through this crisis and come out of it stronger."
"This is disheartening and disgraceful. Racism cannot and should not be tolerated," he said in a statement.
Although it's understandable citizens are concerned and upset about the COVID-19 outbreak, there is "no excuse for the dissemination of [Ngola's] personal information or the racist verbal attacks and false reports to police that he has endured."
New Brunswick set an Atlantic Canadian COVID-19 testing record over the weekend by collecting and processing 2,290 samples in a single day. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
The outbreak prompted mass testing in the region, which extends from Whites Brook to the Village of Belledune, including Tide Head, Atholville, Campbellton, Dalhousie, Eel River Dundee, Eel River Bar First Nation, Balmoral and Charlo.
Nearly 3,000 people were tested last Friday through Sunday — more than 10 per cent of the population.
A total of 30,666 tests have been completed provincewide since the pandemic began in March.
The Campbellton region has been pushed back into a stricter phase of pandemic recovery, known as the orange phase.
Area residents are being told to stay home as much as possible, to avoid any close contact outside their two-household bubbles, and not travel outside the region.
Personal services, such as hair dressers and spas, and non-regulated health professionals, such as acupuncturists and naturopaths, which had just reopened under the yellow phase, cannot operate until further notice.
ER remains closed
The Campbellton Regional Hospital ER remains closed until further notice and ambulances are being diverted to the Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst — about an hour southeast.All surgeries and non-urgent health-care services have been put on hold, no admissions are being accepted and visitors are prohibited except for patients nearing end of life, those in pediatrics, intensive care and obstetrics, where only one designated visitor is allowed per patient.
Meanwhile additional loosening of restrictions for the rest of the province under the yellow phase have been delayed until June 5.
These include allowing outdoor public gatherings of up to 50 people, instead of 10, with physical distancing, and religious services, weddings and funerals with of up to 50 people. The reopening of gyms and start of low-contact sports have also been postponed.
The legislature has also adjourned until June 9 to ensure the politicians don't contribute to the spread of the virus and to allow the all-party COVID cabinet committee to continue to respond to the outbreak.
Ngola said he remains devoted to serving the community.
"I have a family. I have a right to live. Please, I'm not a criminal."
With files from Radio-Canada, La Matinale
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-doctor-story-attention-covid-related-racism-1.5597703
New Brunswick doctor's story calls attention to COVID-related racism
'You can’t have colour in this at all,' says activist
· CBC News · Posted: Jun 04, 2020 12:20 PM AT
Dr. Jean Robert Ngola had been practising out of the Campbellton Regional Hospital. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
Dr. Jean Robert Ngola's account of enduring racist harassment since social media outed him as the doctor at the centre of the Campbellton COVID-19 outbreak has drawn some swift reaction from outside the province.
Dr. Michael Schull was one of the first to call it out on Twitter as "more COVID19-related racism in Canada."
"I think it's especially abhorrent in the times we're living in now," said Schull, an emergency department physician at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto and CEO of ICES, a non-profit health research agency.
"We've seen not just what's going on in the U.S. — these horrific eruptions of violence and the protests that relate to the murder of George Floyd, but also we've seen COVID-related racism in Canada.
Dr. Michael Schull, CEO of ICES, a non-profit health research agency in Toronto and emergency department physician at Sunnybrook Hospital, says people have to call out racism when they see it. (Submitted/Michael Schull)
"This is just another example of that and I think we have to call it out when we see it. Now, more than ever."
Chinese-Canadians tracking incidents of hate
Kennes Lin said fear of COVID-19 has unleashed historical and latent racism all across Canada.She is co-chair of the Toronto Chapter of the Chinese Canadian National Council, one of the organizations behind the recently launched website "Fight Covid Racism," which is now actively tracking incidents of hate.
Lin said Chinese-Canadians, and those mistaken for being Chinese, are being shunned, spat on, verbally abused, physically attacked and denied services. She says the abuse is happening in public spaces as well as online.
Kennes Lin, co-chair of Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter, said Chinese-Canadians, and those mistaken for being Chinese, are being shunned, spat on, verbally abused, physically attacked and denied services in all kinds of public places as well as online. (Submitted/Kennes Lin )
She said Chinese-Canadians were stigmatized before in 2003 in the wake of SARS and it started happening again when reports of an unknown disease started emerging from Wuhan, China.
U.S. President Donald Trump isn't helping, she said. His repeated reference to "the Chinese virus" has given permission to others to express out loud what they may have been reluctant to reveal openly.
And she's convinced Dr. Ngola is also caught up in this wave of xenophobia.
"When a white individual makes a mistake, the public comes up with reasons to sympathize and empathize with their humanity," said Lin.
"But when a racialized person makes a mistake … they're reduced from everything else that they are to just the act of wrongdoing that they have done."
Former patient says race has nothing to do with her disappointment
Jess Day, of Listiguj First Nation in Quebec, was a patient of Dr. Ngola's for about seven years.She says he betrayed his patients' trust by failing to self-isolate after travelling to Quebec, which is now reporting more than 29,000 active cases of COVID-19.
Jess Day, patient of Campbellton doctor linked to the COVID-19 outbreak in the region, says racism has nothing to do with her feelings of betrayal by Dr. Jean Robert Ngola. (Submitted/Jess Day)
Instead, he continued to see patients at the Campbellton Regional Hospital.
Ngola said he had to go to Quebec to collect his four-year-old daughter while her mother travelled to an undisclosed location in Africa to attend a funeral.
His decision to go back to seeing patients may have been an error in judgment, he said
Premier Blaine Higgs and Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, have previously linked the outbreak to a medical professional who travelled to Quebec and didn't self-isolate, but it has yet to be explained how the individual is solely responsible for the new cluster of cases.
'You can't have colour in this at all'
Ralph Thomas, recipient of the 2012 New Brunswick Human Rights Award in recognition of decades of work as a community activist and promoter of black history, said Ngola deserves to be judged without prejudice.He said he knows racism has entered into it, as it always does.
"Yeah, that's an automatic thing," said Thomas.
Ralph Thomas says Dr. Jean Robert Ngola deserves to be judged without prejudice. (Matthew Bingley/CBC)
But he also thinks the doctor didn't follow the rules and that his actions should be evaluated against the standards of his profession. The process should be colourblind, he said.
"Get rid of that [racist] garbage," said Thomas.
"This gentleman is a professional person and I guess he got his priorities mixed up and he made a bad decision.
"We all make bad decisions, and whether we're a doctor or the plain guy on the street, we have to pay the penalty. So if there's a penalty, he should pay it.
"You can't have colour in this at all."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/covid-19-campbellton-doctor-ngola-quebec-1.5595854
Doctor linked to Campbellton COVID-19 outbreak was planning to leave his practice
Dr. Jean Robert Ngola had tendered his resignation, effective Aug. 1, says College of Physicians and Surgeons
· CBC News · Posted: Jun 03, 2020 6:30 AM AT
Dr. Jean Robert Ngola, also known as Dr. Ngola Monzinga and as Jean Robert Ngola Monzinga, has worked in Campbellton since 2013 and has about 2,000 patients, roughly 1,500 of them active. (Guy LeBlanc/Radio-Canada)
The doctor at the centre of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Campbellton region was planning to leave his practice before the outbreak started, according to the head of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick.
Dr. Jean Robert Ngola had tendered his resignation to the Campbellton Regional Hospital, effective Aug. 1, said Dr. Ed Schollenberg, the registrar of the provincial licensing body for doctors.
It was dated May 19, said Schollenberg, who was copied on a May 21 letter from the hospital, accepting Ngola's resignation.
The first case in the COVID-19 cluster was publicly reported on May 21. Before then, it had been two weeks since the province had an active case of the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.
Dr. Jean Robert Ngola had tendered his resignation to the Campbellton Regional Hospital, effective Aug. 1. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
There are now 15 people infected, including two new cases announced Wednesday, someone in their 40s and someone in their 60s.
One case is linked to a close contact of "a previously identified case," Public Health said in a news release, and the other one is an employee of the Manoir de la Vallée, a long-term care facility in Atholville, where five elderly patients in an Alzheimer's unit and a personal support worker previously tested positive.
A third employee who lives in Quebec has also tested positive, but will be counted in Quebec's statistics.
Five people remain in hospital, including one in intensive care.
Eight days after giving his notice, Ngola, who is also known as Ngola Monzinga and as Jean Robert Ngola Monzinga, was suspended by the Vitalité Health Network. The province has since asked the RCMP to investigate a trip he took to Quebec and his failure to self-isolate to determine whether charges are warranted.
Dr. Ed Schollenberg, registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick, said all he knows about the case are the two letters he received - notice of Ngola's resignation and notice of his suspension. (Graham Thompson/CBC)
Ngola, in his first media interview since the outbreak started, told Radio-Canada's program La Matinale on Tuesday he's not sure whether he picked up the coronavirus during the trip to Quebec or from a patient in his office.
He made an overnight return trip to Quebec to pick up his four-year-old daughter because her mother had to travel to Africa for her own father's funeral, he said.
Maybe it was an error in judgment. Who hasn't made an error in judgment?- Jean Robert Ngola
He drove straight there and back with no stops and had no contact with anyone, he said, and none of his family members had any COVID-19 symptoms at the time.
He did not self-isolate upon returning, he said. He went to work at the Campbellton Regional Hospital the next day.
"Maybe it was an error in judgment," said Ngola, pointing out that workers, including nurses who live in Quebec, cross the border each day with no 14-day isolation period required.
"Who hasn't made an error in judgment?" he said.
Ngola said he decided to speak out because he's become the target of racist verbal attacks daily and false reports to police, and he feels abandoned by Public Health officials.
Emails every day but no complaint
Schollenberg said he was advised by Vitalité of Ngola's suspension the same day it took effect but was not given any information about the reason."It wasn't until it became widely known that we found out what this was related to," he said. "I know what I know from the media."
Although Schollenberg has received "a few [emails] every day since all of this started" from citizens calling on the college to suspend Ngola, he said he can't practise anywhere in the province while he's suspended by Vitalité.
The college can't launch an investigation without a formal complaint, said Schollenberg. Usually, it's a patient who files such a complaint.
"That still might happen, I don't know. It's perfectly open for somebody, if they think he was the source of their infection, they could complain to us."
But the college would have limited access to information from the hospital, he said.
The college could also generate its own complaint, said Schollenberg. "But on the other hand, if you're going to complain, you've got to have some facts. And the only information I have is either the stuff that's on social media or the stuff that's been reported."
The infected Alzheimer unit at the Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville has its own entrance and there is no contact between it and the attached independent living apartments, the facility's owner has said. (Serge Bouchard/Radio-Canada)
Twelve of the province's 15 cases have been linked to the travel-related case to date, Public Health officials have said. One case remains under investigation.
The policy for any health-care workers who travel outside the province for any reason is to self-isolate for 14 days, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Jennifer Russell, has said. "It is mandatory."
Ngola did not say during Tuesday's interview what he told officials at the New Brunswick border about his reason for travel, or what they told him about requirements to self-isolate upon entering the province.
Nor did he indicate what, if any, followup he had from border officials.
CBC News has been unable to reach him to clarify. His voice mailbox is full.
On Tuesday, he said he received a call from a Public Health official on May 25 informing him a patient he had seen on May 19 had tested positive for COVID-19.
He cancelled his shift at the hospital that night and got a test for himself and his daughter, he said. Neither of them were showing symptoms, but they both tested positive.
Campbellton ER to reopen Friday
The Campbellton Regional Hospital, which has been "basically shut down" since May 27 when a third case was confirmed, will gradually reopen, starting with the emergency department, the Vitalité Health Network announced on Wednesday.The ER is scheduled to reopen on Friday, but only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
"We have sufficient nursing staff and physicians to partially reopen," president and CEO Gilles Lanteigne said in a statement.
Whenever possible, Vitalité asks people to contact their family doctor, nurse practitioner or Tele- Care 811 before going to the emergency department, he said.
The situation will be reassessed early next week.
"I want to reassure the public that all control measures are in place to ensure the safety of patients and staff in the emergency department and throughout the facility," said Lanteigne.
Ambulatory care services and non-urgent, or elective, surgeries, remain suspended, but will also be reassessed early next week, he said.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/covid-19-death-long-term-care-home-campbellton-1.5597992
Long-term care home resident first New Brunswicker to die of COVID-19
Daniel Ouellette, 84, was a resident at the Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville
· CBC News · Posted: Jun 04, 2020 9:55 AM AT
A Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville resident has died after testing positive for COVID-19. (Serge Bouchard/Radio-Canada)
An 84-year-old long-term care home resident is the first person in New Brunswick to die of COVID-19.
Daniel Ouellette was a resident at the Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville. He died at 5:10 a.m. Thursday, his son Michel has told Radio-Canada.
"In these difficult times it is with a very very heavy heart that I announce the passing of our father Daniel (Ti-Dan) Ouellette," said Michel Ouellette in a social media post. "He will be missed greatly by all of us."
In an interview with Radio-Canada, Michel Ouellette said his father's condition deteriorated quickly.
Daniel Ouellette, 84, was one of 15 people who tested positive for COVID-19 in the Campbellton region in the past two weeks. He died from the virus Thursday morning. (Submitted by Michel Ouellette)
He said on Friday the care home asked if they could check on his father, as they were testing people in the home. He said yes, and by Sunday, he got a call from a doctor saying his father was being taken to hospital by ambulance, that he was unconscious and COVID-19 positive.
He said his father was having breathing problems and was on oxygen.
Then complications started in his lung, he said. First one, and then the other the next day.
His father was stable for a day, but then his fever spiked overnight.
"It was hard on him. He never came back," he said in French. "He died of that. It's COVID that took him.
"He couldn't beat it. He tried, but it's a difficult disease."
New Brunswick had a stretch of more than two weeks with no documented cases of COVID-19, allowing officials to ease some restrictions.
But two weeks ago officials detected one new case in a child in Campbellton, which was followed by two more, then spread to the memory unit of the long-term care facility.
Michel Ouellette says not being able to say goodbye to his father was difficult. (Radio-Canada)
Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province's chief medical officer of health, said this is bad news but was not unexpected.
"We knew it was only a matter of time before New Brunswick would suffer its first loss of life," she said.
Russell said even the best-case-scenario projections were not predicting zero deaths. She said there may be more deaths before a vaccine is found.
There are four people in hospital, including one in the intensive care unit, Russell said. She said she can't predict if there will be more deaths within that group.
Officials have linked the outbreak to a medical professional travelling to Quebec and returning to work without self-isolating, but it has yet to be explained what kind of contact-tracing links they made
Premier Blaine Higgs said he received the news of Ouellette's death "with a heavy heart."
"Though we always knew this day would come, we were always hoping for the best that it wouldn't," he said.
Not being there for the final moments
Ouellette said the family wasn't able to step foot inside the hospital when their father was there. He said his father had Alzheimer's, but he could recognize his family and was otherwise healthy."it's very hard on the family … That we couldn't go see him say by comfort him hold his hand," he said. "I wouldn't wish this on anyone."
Russell said he had "underlying health conditions" but did not elaborate.
Ouellette said his father received good care and the hospital communicated with the family well.
Cheif medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell said the province's first COVID-19 death is sad news but not unexpected. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Ouellette said what happens to his father highlights how important it is to be more careful, especially in care homes. One of the infected employees at the care home was contagious during three work days. Ouellette said that gives him pause.
"I just wish he's the last person to die from that thing," he said of his father.
He said people will remember how good his father was and his great sense of humour.
"A lot of people knew him," he said.
A village in mourning
Atholville Mayor Michel Soucy said his own sister is in the same care home. He said she's been tested and is doing well in a different wing of the facility.He said the community has lost "a member of our family."
"With this virus and with what we're going through it seems to be a lot harder because we don't have time to grieve," he said. "It's very sad."
Shift - NB
First COVID-19 death in Atholville
We
hear from the son of Daniel Ouellette, an 84 year old man who died from
COVID-19, after the virus hit a long-term care home in Atholville. We
also speak to the Mayor of Atholville, Michel Soucy, who's sister is
also a resident at the Manoir de la Vallee. 10:37
He said his message to the community is "we lost a special person, but we need to continue to fight this virus together," he said.
"I know it's hard to confine, I know it's hard to be away from family members.
"At the end of the day, we'll see some better days."
About the Author
With files from Michel Corriveau, Radio-Canada and Shift New Brunswick
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/covid-19-atholville-long-term-manoir-campbellton-quebec-doctor-1.5588012
Some employees at Atholville long-term care home with COVID-19 outbreak live in Quebec
CEO believes no workers at facility are still travelling from neighbouring province
CBC News · Posted: Jun 01, 2020 10:39 PM AT
The Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville has four residents and an employee who have tested positive for COVID-19. (Serge Bouchard/Radio-Canada)
Some employees at the long-term care facility in Atholville where four Alzheimer's patients and a night worker have tested positive for COVID-19 live across the border in Quebec, says the facility's owner.
But Dr. Guy Tremblay, the president and CEO of the Quebec-based Lokia Group, said he doesn't believe any employees are still travelling between provinces.
"I don't think so," he said during a telephone interview from Quebec on Monday.
And while some of the Manoir de la Vallée's personal care attendants have on occasion worked at the Lokia Group's other two facilities in the area — Sugarloaf Manor in Campbellton and Sunrise Manor in Dalhousie — none did in the days leading up to the outbreak and none are now, he said.
There are 12 active cases of COVID-19 in the Campbellton region, all linked to a family doctor who travelled to Quebec and didn't self-isolate for the mandatory 14 days when he returned.
The affected Manoir de la Vallée residents include three people in their 80s and one in their 70s from the 18-bed Alzheimer's unit.
Tremblay said the COVID-positive personal care attendant had social contact with the infected doctor on May 20.
She worked three night shifts — May 22, 23 and 24 with no symptoms — before testing positive for the respiratory disease on May 29, and is now self-isolating at home, he said.
Information Morning - Fredericton
Covid at special care home
More
cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the Campbellton area, all at
the Manoir de la Vallée à Atholville. Dr. Guy Tremblay is president and
CEO of the Lokia Group, which owns Manoir de la Vallée à Atholville. 13:01
The roughly 90 residents and 40 employees at the Campbellton and Dalhousie facilities will be tested in the coming days, along with those of all long-term care facilities in the region, also known as Zone 5, Public Health officials have said.
In the meantime, Tremblay, who is a surgeon, said the Manoir staff and health officials are doing everything possible to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Unit isolated
The infected Alzheimer unit has its own entrance and there is no contact between it and the attached independent living apartments, he said.And a team of extramural staff is running the special-care side after 10 of the 29 regular workers left amid fears of the outbreak.
"As soon as we knew that COVID will be there, many staff are just scared about that and they just advised us that they [would] not be on the next shift on the floor," said Tremblay.
With a good care plan, he is optimistic the facility will pull through the outbreak "without much problem," noting some people can be COVID-positive without being sick, even the elderly.
"But at the same time you shouldn't close your eyes because you never know what's going [to happen] the next day, or the next hours because that bad virus can create a very bad situation."
With files from Information Morning Fredericton
5 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.John McInerney
Unavoidable ?? This is not a credible response. Detailed vigilance, especially over employees, however well meaning, is essential. Lessons learned ?
rick haars
He doesn't '' think
'' employees are still commuting in from QC. I don't '' think '' they
have any control of this yet. Just haven't learned anything about the QC
connections.
Jim Cyr
That employee who had
"social contact" with the doctor, and then brought the virus into the
nursing home, was not being careful enough. She clearly was not doing
the social distancing that someone in his or her position should have
been doing. (The bulk of the blame lies with the doctor, of course. The
entire Campbellton region deserves blame too.........with their whining
about "OPEN THE BORDER!" leading up to this outbreak).
Doug Gray
The Dr was reported to be on a personal trip, nothing to do with work.
Cheryl MacLeod
Border towns see people crossing every day for work purposes. It is allowed.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/tremblay-covid19-campbellton-care-facility-1.5592581
Owner of infected long-term care facility says COVID-19 outbreak was unavoidable
4 residents, 1 staff member at the Manoir de la Vallée have tested positive for the virus
CBC News · Posted: May 31, 2020 7:22 PM AT
An employee at the Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville tested positive for COVID-19 last week. (Serge Bouchard/Radio-Canada)
The owner of the Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville, N.B., said an outbreak of COVID-19 at his facility was unavoidable.
An employee in their 30s at the long-term care facility near Campbellton, N.B., tested positive for the virus last week. Since then, four residents at the facility have also tested positive. Three of the residents are in their 80s and one resident is in their 70s.
"We knew COVID would start somewhere in our facilities, but we didn't know exactly when it would start," said Guy Tremblay, president and general director of Groupe Lokia, which owns the special care home for seniors.
About 100 people, including 57 residents, may have been exposed to the worker, who was contagious during three night shifts at the facility.
All of the residents at the facility have been tested, Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health said at a news conference on Sunday.
As many staff "as possible" have also been tested, she said.
Tremblay feels he did as much as he could to prevent the virus from entering his facility.
'"All our staff have been prepared to prevent the spreading of COVID since the first week or second week of March," he said.
'All the prevention, all the techniques we demonstrated to our employees was pretty much well-learned over the last two months."
More than a third of staff at the long-term care facility are no longer working there.
Ten of the 28 staff chose to leave the Manoir de la Vallée long-term care facility because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
"As soon as the staff learn that COVID is around, many of them are just scared about that."
Ambulance New Brunswick and Extra-Mural, the province's home health-care program, are on site to provide additional help caring for residents at the facility.
Tremblay said he is happy the government chose to bring in help.
"It's not bad news for me really. It should be like that. We should work all together to face that situation."
Cecile Cassista, executive director for the Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents Rights, is also pleased the government chose to ask for additional help.
Cecile Cassista of the Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents' Rights is worried about the senior population in Campbellton after the COVID-19 outbreak at a long-term health care facility in the region. (Wayne Chase Photography)
Cassista is "very upset" about the outbreak at the home, however.
"This is about our aging population and our seniors," she said. "I had the greatest fear when I heard of one person being infected and now we have it spreading throughout the home."
There are 132 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province. Of that, 120 have recovered since the pandemic began in March.
The 12 active cases are all in the Campbellton region, or Zone 5.
Three of the long-term care cases are in the hospital, including one patient in ICU.
A cluster of COVID-19 cases sprung up there after doctor who travelled to Quebec contracted the coronavirus and didn't self-isolate when he returned to New Brunswick.
Corrections
- An earlier version of this story indicated all staff at the facility had been tested for COVID-19.Jun 01, 2020 6:34 PM AT
With files from Harry Forestall
59 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.Reid Gilker
Yes it is a terrible thing, and it would be very much more accurate to say that this doctor who spread it didn't contract it in Cross point or Listuguj on the Quebec side of the Campbellton bridge, as what anyone would think who sees any news video of this by our esteemed News outlets! This doctor was in Montreal !!! and returned to Campbellton and didn't self-isolate when he got there.... Truth!!
janice small
Having trouble with the quote from the owner "unavoidable" If I was a family member who has family at this home it wouldn't be very comforting to me knowing that Covid 19 was "unavoidable" I would be getting my family members bags pack and move to another home where the virus is avoidable. This was absolutely avoidable..
JoeBrown
Reply to @janice
small: They meant covid is invisible and will be unavoidable (to some
extent which is hopefully minor in total) if a vaccine is not found. 25%
of MB nursing home infections were brought in by hc workers - maybe you
can tell us where the rest of them should move to in order to remain
safe.
JoeBrown
Reply to @janice
small: They have 10 residences in NB and mostly Que and the quote
clearly referred to the group. 82% of covid fatalities are in n homes
and most every province has had outbreaks especially in Que.
Stephanie Smith
I agree with the headline. I do hope the residents will be put on supportive therapy, eg. Vitamin C and Zinc. In Canada there is the other accredited health care system we can look to, to help. In Toronto, there is The Canadian College Of Naturopathic Medicine and ND's one can turn to for advice regarding supportive therapy.
JoeBrown
Reply to @Stephanie
Smith: Neither of those has been proven to be Covid "therapies", so it
is not surprising that the Naturopathic Medicine people are pumping them
as miracle cures for the desperate. The only question is will they keep
pumping them as cures if they fail the trials?
JoeBrown
No one has proven that the doctor had symptoms. Unless that is established, it was just a misjudgment which many people have done. Higgs rule that everyone has to quarantine for 2 weeks is not a sustainable plan if this virus goes on because businesses can't close down then start up repeatedly and neither can any other service including healthcare, which btw was broke before Covid so is going to be even worse off now - there are lots more health problems than covid.
Colin Seeley
Reply to @JoeBrown:
The Dr. tested positive for Covid.
Higgs rules are the same ones recommended by Trudeau and Tam.
It’s the honour system.
Now , thanks to the good Dr. , NB Region 5 will go back to the rules of STAY HOME.
And ALL Dr’s of NB have been informed of the rules many many times by all the Authorities.
That is don’t travel.
If you do leave the province you must self isolate for 14 days.
NB is under the rules of a “ State of Emergency “ and breaking the rules is a crime as well as a misjudgement.
The Dr. tested positive for Covid.
Higgs rules are the same ones recommended by Trudeau and Tam.
It’s the honour system.
Now , thanks to the good Dr. , NB Region 5 will go back to the rules of STAY HOME.
And ALL Dr’s of NB have been informed of the rules many many times by all the Authorities.
That is don’t travel.
If you do leave the province you must self isolate for 14 days.
NB is under the rules of a “ State of Emergency “ and breaking the rules is a crime as well as a misjudgement.
Nicolas
Krinis
Reply to @Colin
Seeley: There is an exemption for healthcare workers. An exemption that
never should have been included in the Act.
Mary Smith
Reply to @Nicolas
Krinis: If that's true (and I'm unsure if that's true) that exemption
would be for if they were traveling on essential business. Not for
personal reasons. That is where this is problematic, I believe they
determined that the doctor was untruthful about the reasons for his
travel, and thus should have isolated upon return but did not.
Lou Bell
Reply to @Nicolas
Krinis: The exemption was for traveling as an essential worker on
essential business ! He broke the rules which were legit and certainly
SHOULD have been included !
Lou Bell
Reply to @JoeBrown: The doctor was proven to be tested positive . Where do you come up with such false statements , really ???
JoeBrown
Reply to @Lou Bell:
At this point you should be aware that 35% of Covid show zero symptoms,
ever. It will be disturbing if you already knew that, yet felt that he
had symptoms just because he was tested positive. The emergence of this
cluster may have come from one of his patients or someone they infected
showing symptoms first!
etc etc etc
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/roundup-covid-19-virus-outbreak-1.5593139
N.B. COVID-19 roundup: National parks, historic sites reopen June 1
N.B. has 12 active cases, all linked to doctor returning from Quebec
· CBC News · Posted: Jun 01, 2020 12:37 PM AT
Kouchibouguac National Park set to reopen today after being closed for almost three months. (Courtesy of Parks Canada)
Several national parks and heritage sites in New Brunswick are reopening to the public after the federal government forced them to shut down in March over possible spread of COVID-19.
Fundy and Kouchibouguac national parks, as well as Fort Beauséjour – Fort Cumberland and Fort Gaspareaux National Historic sites have reopened today.
"Trails and day use areas will be open, some beaches," said Andrew Fry, visitor experience manager for Fundy National Park.
But he did say there will be some restrictions on what people can do in Fundy Park.
All camping facilities remain closed until at least June 21, 2020, while Parks Canada assesses whether and how these services might resume. And not all trails and facilities will be open to the public just yet.
Fry is asking visitors to avoid areas that haven't been officially opened.
"We really need your help in not accessing those spaces because they're not ready yet," he said.
"Like many businesses we're not where we normally are in June."
Some of the services still closed include the golf course, swimming pool, visitor reception centres and kitchen shelters.
No new cases Monday
There were no new active cases of COVID-19 in the province Monday, after New Brunswick Public Health announced three new COVID-19 cases the Campbellton region, also known as Zone 5, at a news conference Sunday. All of the new cases are individuals in their 80s.That brings the total cluster of cases in the Campbellton region to 12, the chief medical officer of health said.
The new cases include three individuals at a long-term care facility near the northern community.
Another case, an individual in their 70s, who's also a resident at the care facility, tested positive for the virus Saturday.
Four residents and a staff member at a long-term care facility in Campbellton have tested positive for COVID-19. 1:26
The province, with the exception of the Campbellton region, is in part one of the yellow phase.
The province halted part two of its yellow COVID-19 recovery phase Friday, stopping gyms, pools, yoga studios and other businesses from reopening Friday and not allowing indoor church services or gatherings up to 50 as was planned.
Gyms in New Brunswick are about to reopen after three months of closure. What adjustments have they made to keep members safe? 2:35
Premier Blaine Higgs announced last week he's hoping to move into part two of the yellow phase this Friday. The Campbellton area is currently in the orange phase, after a cluster of cases broke out in the area over the past week.
Since the outbreak, Higgs and Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, have been hosting news briefings about the cases. There will not be a news briefing Monday.
To date, there have been 132 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 28,462 tests that have been performed for the respiratory illness. This includes more than 2,000 tests that were processed on Sunday, which is the highest number of tests processed in single day since the pandemic began.
Teachers return to school
Monday marks the first day teachers will gradually return to school since the province ordered schools to close March 13 to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and online learning sessions were eventually established.Teachers will gradually return to school between June 1 and June 5 to finish work from this year and start planning for fall.
They could also be working on professional development, which could include online webinars or in-person with colleagues to learn how to teach during a pandemic.
Education Minister Dominic Cardy had said school will resume in September, but he doesn't know what that will look like yet. Classes could resume inside the schools, but they could also be taught online.
What to do if you have symptoms
People concerned they might have COVID-19 can take a self-assessment on the government website at gnb.ca.Public Health says symptoms shown by people with COVID-19 have included: a fever above 38 C, a new cough or worsening chronic cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, new onset of fatigue, new onset of muscle pain, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell, and difficulty breathing. In children, symptoms have also included purple markings on the fingers and toes.
People with two of those symptoms are asked to:
- Stay at home.
- Call Tele-Care 811 or their doctor.
- Describe symptoms and travel history.
- Follow instructions.
About the Author
With files from Jordan Gill
42 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos
OH Happy Day for many Acadians and lots of other folks too Some of us are not Christians or even a little bit religious yet still believe in the golden rule and do enjoy what this wonderful old world has to offer
"Kouchibouguac National Park set to reopen today after being closed for almost three months"
David Amos
Methinks this news about Fundy and Kouchibouguac national parks will make a lot of folks I know Happy Happy Happy N'esy Pas?
Brent Harris Blizzard
Reply to @David Amos: Ithinks again.
David Amos
Reply to @Brent Harris Blizzard: I am happy to be informed of your recovery. How long did you go without thinking?
Jezebel DeWitt Bukater
I wrote some very
judgmental comments about the doctor on an article on here yesterday. I
was not being very Christian to say the least. I prayed about it and
yes I was WRONG. Yes, he did wrong and he will have to live with that
for the rest of his life, but we should be kind and forgiving if people
are genuinely sorry for their mistakes. That doesn't mean there aren' t
consequences, but an angry m o b will not solve anything. This is a
chance for New Brunswick to show the rest of Canada what the love of
Jesus is really all about.
JoeBrown
Reply to @Mike
Bookman: She apologized so leave it at that. No one has proven the doc
had symptoms to make him think he was infected, so judgment should be
reserved for fact analysis which we do not have today, other than he
disobeyed mother Higgs border rule.
Bob Smith
Reply to @Jezebel
DeWitt Bukater: I wrote my judgments yesterday and make no apologies
whatsoever for them. If people want to forgive, fine. Remember the
forgiveness when the doctor gets nothing more than a letter of reprimand
and temporary suspension for his actions.
Jezebel
DeWitt Bukater
Reply to @Bob Smith: Oh I think he deserves much more than that.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Jezebel
DeWitt Bukater: I agree with you that a large and angry group of people
demanding immediate action is not the way to go. That's not how we do
things in Canada. A legal investigation is being made by the proper
body, the RCMP. The person has also been suspended by his employer and
will likely be subject to an investigation of professional ethics by the
College of Physicans and Surgeons. These are the proper, if somewhat
slow-moving, channels.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @JoeBrown:
The Emergency Measures Act gives Higgs to make and enforce such rules.
They're not a whim on Higgs' part. The question is not, "Did the doctor
know he was infected?" It's, "Was he in violation of the law?" The
RCMP is working on figuring that out.
David Amos
Reply to @Bob Smith: Methinks its interesting that everything went "Poof" N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: "The RCMP is working on figuring that out."
Yea Right
Yea Right
James Smythe
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: Awe the lynchmob leader grew a heart because of "prayer". Yeah right.
David Amos
Reply to @Jezebel
DeWitt Bukater: I just heard the doctor you people have been yapping
about on the radio. Methinks he did not sound pleased about his family's
privacy being violated etc No doubt many would agree that lawyers are
lining up in pursuit of a job N'esy Pas?
Jezebel
DeWitt Bukater
Reply to @David Amos: Probably. It says a lot about his character (lack of) that he's playing the victim now.
David Amos
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: Methinks you should learn to clam up N'esy Pas?
"Ngola said he's been looking into the people making hateful posts and the vast majority are from outside the region. He said he feels they are trying to incite violence against him because he is black.'
"Ngola said he's been looking into the people making hateful posts and the vast majority are from outside the region. He said he feels they are trying to incite violence against him because he is black.'
Lou Bell
With Higgs having an 83 % approval rate , the best in Canada , I suspect the Liberal naysayers have been pretty well stifled, especially the gentleman over the last few days who stated emphatically he would be gone shortly because of how he was handling the situation ! He and Marc and Marc uerite have pretty well disappeared these days !
Jezebel DeWitt Bukater
Reply to @Lou Bell:
That must be disappointing to all of those Canadians who keep demanding
that we open our borders to them. Turns out that the majority in New
Brunswick like the strong borders and on this issue the only opinion
that matters is that of the citizens of New Brunswick.
Dan
Stewart
Reply to @Lou Bell:
Nothing wrong with having s premier do a good job. I occasionally vote
PC (not last time mind you) but have no problem appreciating a job well
some regardless of party.
Fred Sanford
Reply to @Lou Bell:
It's extremely refreshing to have political parties actually work
together to achieve something instead of the governing party not
consulting and the opposition parties opposing everything.
Mike Bookman
Reply to @Lou Bell:
Yes, he did good on this! Now, he needs to get Irving to pay their back
taxes of about $42Billion. What do ya think Lou, any chances of a former
Irving exec doing that?
JoeBrown
Reply to @Mike Bookman: Link please to the tax calculation or an article referencing it since it is off topic.
Michel Forgeron
Reply to @Dan
Stewart: I have also voted (progressive) conservative a few times in my
life, but if things keep going well in NB, I'll definitely be voting for
Higgs.
Bill Vasseur
Reply to @Lou Bell:
83%,that amazing, he should call an election now, because by October I
strongly suspect that you will be able to reverse those two numbers
David Amos
Reply to @Bill Vasseur: I concur
JoeBrown
Reply to @Bill
Vasseur: Depends on whether jt lets people collect cerb by then,
otherwise the whole game falls apart when people find someone has to pay
for this isolation.
Fred
Brewer
Reply to @JoeBrown:
Since you asked, here is one link and this deals only with one of the
many sweetheart deals the empire has with the province. This deal cost
us $663,603 per year (as of 2018) and this deal is now in its 40th year.
Do the math.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/tax-exemptions-new-brunswick-foregone-revenue-1.5350250
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/tax-exemptions-new-brunswick-foregone-revenue-1.5350250
James Smythe
Reply to @Lou Bell:
Higgs doesn't have anywhere near close to an 83% approval rating. Higgs
is an atrocious leader who doesn't know how to properly govern, we
simply got lucky due to population demographics in this virus situation.
You're attributing our province's dumb luck our inept leader, and you
share something in common with that same type of luck it would seem.
Lou Bell
Reply to @Mike
Bookman: Libs did NOTHING about it ! They DID try to give an UNDISCLOSED
130 million to the SANB and their " Phonie Games " until they got
caught though !!!
Lou Bell
Reply to @Bill Vasseur: Naw , hope is all you have , and hope doesn't buy votes !
Lou Bell
Reply to @Fred
Brewer: $ 663,000 ? Over 20 years that would equal the 130 million the
Liberals were gonna give away IN A YEAR for the " Phonie Games "
!!!!!!!!!!!
Lou Bell
Reply to @James Smythe: Better check it out ! Sorry , but it's true ! Read and drool there buddy !!!!!!!
Fred
Brewer
Reply to @Lou Bell:
Yes, but the bigger picture is the $42 billion in lost taxes; a
situation created by all past and current governments allowing tax
breaks to the empire for the past 70 years or so. That's the real story.
That's the real reason NB is circling the drain.
Bob Lewis
Reply to @Lou Bell: Funny how that works.. high ratings remove the cynics.. it's like a magic potion..
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell:
Methinks many would agree that gloating is not wise and that the fat
lady ain't sung about your SANB buddies yet N'esy Pas?
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/mayor-concerned-tide-head-1.5594729
Mayor concerned about Tide Head-Matapedia border crossing
Randy Hunter says not enough guards at border, questions provincial estimates of vehicles
CBC News · Posted: Jun 02, 2020 12:46 PM AT
Randy Hunter, the mayor of Tide Head, says the crossing at the Matapedia Bridge in his community isn’t staffed properly. (Colin McPhail/CBC)
A northern New Brunswick mayor is raising alarms over what he considers holes in the province's border protection efforts.
The province has public safety officials at border crossings on both the Quebec and Nova Scotia borders.
But Randy Hunter, the mayor of Tide Head, said the crossing at the Matapedia Bridge in his community isn't staffed properly.
He said the border has seen an increase in traffic because of weight restrictions on the Van Horne Bridge in Campbellton, and public safety has been waving vehicles through because they can't keep up.
"There's a train bridge located right above the highway bridge and people are literally walking across that bridge and meeting up with their friends or family in the New Brunswick area," said Hunter.
Quebec licence plates
Region 5, which includes Tide Head, has reverted to the "orange" stage of COVID-19 recovery because of a cluster of cases linked to a doctor that traveled to Quebec.Hunter said residents have seen plenty of Quebec vehicles in the community and he questions whether they are there for essential services.
"If you go to our local Walmart or Superstore, the two largest retail outlets, the parking lots are full and I would say 40 percent of those cars are from Quebec," said Hunter.
“An average of 65 personal vehicles cross the Matapedia bridge daily, on average five are turned back every day," said the province (Google Maps)
"People that are coming in from Quebec that are deemed essential workers, they're supposed to be into their workplace [and] back. It's not happening. They're shopping."
In an emailed statement, Public Safety said it is limiting non-essential travel into the province, including at the Matapedia entry.
"Peace officers are stationed at the Matapedia point of entry at all hours," said the statement.
"An average of 65 personal vehicles cross the Matapedia bridge daily, on average five are turned back every day."
Questioning numbers
Hunter said the officers he has spoken to say people attempting to enter the province have given them "every excuse possible" to do so.He said the province may have the wrong idea about just how many vehicles are trying to cross at the Matapedia Bridge.
"The Premier's reporting and the news is reporting perhaps 60 to 70 cars a day, well that is not factual," said Hunter.
"I know people that work for Public Safety there and the average [number of cars] on that bridge is about 200 a day,"
Hunter said the number of cars with Quebec licence plates has concerned his constituents.
"I'm getting calls and messages from people that are really concerned about the situation we're in and the traffic of Quebec cars that are in the region," said Hunter.
With files from Information Morning Fredericton and Information Morning Moncton
25 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos
Methinks the plot thickens nicely N'esy Pas?
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @David Amos: methinks so too
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Methinks you enjoy upsetting Higgy's many minions byway of merely emulating a couple of my expressions N'esy Pas?
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @David Amos: methinks everyone should mind their own business
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Methinks at the very least you should not deny that not only do I have the right to have a Medicare Card but higgy et al should give me my old Harley and the Yankee wiretap tapes back as well N'esy Pas?
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Methinks at the very least you should not deny that not only do I have the right to have a Medicare Card but higgy et al should give me my old Harley and the Yankee wiretap tapes back as well N'esy Pas?
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @David Amos: absolutely
David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: "POOF"
Bruce Sanders
New Brunswick does not have borders. They have provincial boundaries with the other provinces. CANADA has borders.
David Amos
Reply to @Bruce Sanders: True
Shawn Hickey
Flatlands people, Flatlands. Story still has merit.
The Matapédia Bridge crosses the Restigouche River from Matapédia, Quebec to Flatlands, New Brunswick
David Amos
Reply to @Shawn
Hickey: Methinks Higgy et al know tha an old Hillbilly such as I believe
Flatlanders are crazy but many think the same of me Hence we are even
N'esy Pas?
michael levesque
Reply to @David Amos: you should run for the liberals cause you talk like a liberal you don't make sense.
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @michael levesque: Methinks if you wish to find some sense in this circus you have to quick to read things before they go "Poof' N'esy Pas?
Reply to @michael levesque: Methinks if you wish to find some sense in this circus you have to quick to read things before they go "Poof' N'esy Pas?
Jezebel DeWitt Bukater
We need an Atlantic border force as a cooperation between the Atlantic provinces at the NB/QC border. Something that will have clear guidelines and ensure the integrity of our border.
Bill Vasseur
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: We need no borders, this is still one country at least the last time I checked!!!
Jezebel DeWitt Bukater
Reply to @Bill
Vasseur: If you think this is one country then I'd question which Canada
you've been living in? This country is at least 5 separate countries
minimum pretending to be one. Our life in Atlantic Canada is different
and we need to protect it.
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: Who is "WE" ???
Tony Mcalbey
Content disabled
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: have an issue with rest of Canadians?
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: have an issue with rest of Canadians?
James Smythe
Content disabled
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: Sickening and divisive.
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: Sickening and divisive.
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: Provinces do not have borders. They have boundaries. We are already broke, and now we are spending money on something else unnecessary, sure..
Dan Stewart
Reply to @Jezebel
DeWitt Bukater: I am a Canadian that lives in New Brunswick... I am not
so sure where you are from anymore...
Jim Cyr
Shameful. Arrest any one trying to enter under false pretenses, or caught at the stores.
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Jim Cyr: lol
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Jim Cyr: Methinks you are jealous because you are too afraid to try to cross the 49th N'esy Pas? Dave Shimla
couple hundred bucks passed to a rent a cop can get you right across the border no problem, seen in first hand - please go investigate that CBC!
David Amos
Reply to @Dave Shimla: Oh My My Say it ain't so
Lou Bell
So if there's a problem with the numbers , Higgs is getting false numbers from Public Safety . Time to take a check on those manning the border !!!
Bill Vasseur
Reply to @Lou Bell: You sound like the perfect person to do it,,, then again, no I don't think so to paranoid!
David Amos
Reply to @Bill Vasseur: I concur
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Lou Bell: methinks you should go and get the real numbers
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks you must recall back in March of 2019 that I tried to explain things I knew about Dominic Cardy and his wife to the Tide Head Mayor Randy Hunter and why I was not surprised that he would not listen to me N'esy Pas?
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks you must recall back in March of 2019 that I tried to explain things I knew about Dominic Cardy and his wife to the Tide Head Mayor Randy Hunter and why I was not surprised that he would not listen to me N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks much to your hero Higgy's chagrin Mayor Hunter and I got along just fine in our conversation today N'esy Pas?
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks much to your hero Higgy's chagrin Mayor Hunter and I got along just fine in our conversation today N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: BINGO
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/tide-head-school-closure-policy-409-mayor-randy-hunter-1.5070564
Village mayor fights to give school on the chopping block a 2nd act
Small Tide Head School was voted to close after years of declining enrolment
· CBC News · Posted: Mar 26, 2019 6:00 AM AT
The district education council has recommended Tide Head School for closure. Education Minister Dominic Cardy has yet to sign off, but it appears the tiny school's days are numbered. (Colin McPhail/CBC)
Tide Head School's days appear to be numbered. The tiny K-5 school in northern New Brunswick is expected to close this year, pending ministerial approval, after a unanimous district educational council vote in January.
It's always been a small community school, but enrolment plummeted in the past four years. Eight students attend Tide Head today.
Tide Head Mayor Randy Hunter knows it's a fait accompli.
The students will be reassigned in September to a school in Campbellton, about nine kilometres east, but Hunter is pushing to give the building a second act and raising questions about what should be done with closed schools in small or rural municipalities.
Wants building used
The mayor doesn't want Tide Head School to meet the same fate as the shuttered school in neighbouring Atholville. The former École Versant-Nord sits empty on prime property in the heart of the community."I would like to see the building used," Hunter said.
"We don't want that school sitting there, grass growing around it, not being maintained, becoming an eyesore for our municipality."
Anglophone School District North and the district education council reserved comment on the matter as they await Education Minister Dominic Cardy's decision. Under Policy 409, the guiding document to review and close schools, the minister must sign off on an education council's recommendation.
Planning to merge
The school was marked for closure as part of a plan to merge three regional schools into a new K-8 school in Campbellton. That project has since been delayed by the Progressive Conservative government.Tide Head School had more than 100 students at its peak, but in the past decade enrolment hovered in the 40s before dropping to single digits last year. The school is staffed by the equivalent of 1½ full-time teachers and 3½ non-teaching employees.
Tide Head School sits on the main road through the small northern New Brunswick village. (Colin McPhail/CBC)
Once closed, ownership of the school shifts to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, which then can offer it to other provincial departments or sell it to a non-profit organization or another government. Failing that, it could be sold publicly.
Losing the school would be a blow to the village, said Hunter, who wants Policy 409 to do a better job weighing the impact that closing a school has on the small or rural community it serves.
Repurposing the building, land
Hunter, a former educator now in his third term as mayor, offered suggestions to keep the building in use, including establishing an autism resource centre for the school district or moving the local alternative learning centre from its rented location in Campbellton to a permanent home in Tide Head."The building is not falling down," Hunter said. "Does it need tender love and care? Of course it does, like any building. But besides that it's fine."
Tide Head Mayor Randy Hunter wants to see the Tide Head School building, or at least the land, used after its likely closure later this year. (Colin McPhail/CBC)
Hunter said the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development hasn't responded to his proposals, but he said the government offered to hand over the building and the property to the municipality.
But that isn't ideal, he said. The village would lose out on tax revenue and be faced with either demolishing or renovating the building — costs the municipality can't afford, he said.
If the province knocked down the building, the village could then sell the property to be developed, Hunter said.
Hoping for new people
Tide Head has always been a suburb of sorts to Campbellton, but the village is becoming increasingly residential after several businesses closed.The population dipped below 1,000 in the last census, and Hunter is keen on attracting people and economic development.
Repurposing Tide Head School or the land that it's on would help buck the recent trend.
"We'd like to see any positive development within the municipality, from housing through to small businesses," he said.
5 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
Lou Bell
5 employees for 8 kids . Unbelievable . How has it gotten to this point ?
Shawn Hickey
Great school! Great village!
I attended in it's heyday from 80-86. It's unfortunate, but with only 8 students, it will have to close. Just like Upsalquich so many years ago.
I attended in it's heyday from 80-86. It's unfortunate, but with only 8 students, it will have to close. Just like Upsalquich so many years ago.
David Amos
Methinks Dominic
Cardy and his wife know why I tried to explain things to the Tide Head
Mayor Randy Hunter just now and why I was not surprised that he would
not listen to me N'esy Pas?
cheryl wright
autism center,
resource center, daycare center, tutoring location.. there are so many
options for old schools, its a sin to let them go to waste
JJ Carrier
Great school through the years for kids of all ages...I will be sad to see it go...
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